Fernando Alonso Wins the Greatest Singapore GP Ever

Now I didn’t expect to be writing that title before or even during the 2010 Singapore GP! However, just as I was about to fall asleep, the race came alive and finally delivered on all the promises made by backers such as Bernie Eccolstone.

It all could have been so different though as the race started cleanly and developed into a very processional affair.

Alonso was aggressive but fair to hold off Vettel and, although Button got a better start than Hamilton, McLaren’s number two just had that little bit of extra confidence going into turn one.

After lap one, here are your positions:

Alonso, Vettel, Hamilton, Button, Webber, Rosberg, Kubica, Barrichello, Schumacher, Petrov, Kobayashi, Buemi, Hulkenberg, Sutil, Liuzzi, Kovalainen, Glock, Trulli, Klien, di Grassi, Alguersari (who started from the pits after a water leak), Senna.

Massa and Heidfeld both took to the pits after just two laps but their early stops gave them little advantage when Liuzzi stopped out on track forcing the safety car out.

It was at this early stage that Webber strangely pitted for the harder tyres. The Championship leader was joined by most of the other "non-championship challenging drivers," but when the Australian rejoined in P11, he must have been wondering if this was a daring move or a big mistake.

The safety car went back to the pits at the end of lap five and the race resumed with a processional feeling.

There were some interesting manoeuvres on show as Webber dispatched Glock and, at one exciting moment around turn seven Kobayashi, but other than that not a lot changed.

By lap 11 Webber had passed Schumacher for P8, but was really starting to struggle on the harder tyres. For the next 10 laps the only exciting question I had to ponder was…Should I go to the toilet? I decided against it, which added to the tension later on.

By lap 29 the McLarens were both struggling with their pace and were in real danger of losing out to Webber.

The McLaren team strangely chose to pit Hamilton around this time after arguably far too long and the Brit found himself falling behind Webber and down in P8. Button pitted a couple of laps later and also felt the punishment for staying out too long. This wasn’t disastrous for McLaren, but it certainly could have been better.

There was some genuine excitement when Alonso and Vettel took to the pits at the same time one lap later, but again, this decision was strange on Red Bull’s part. Alonso easily won the pit race and we were all left wondering why Vettel didn’t stay out for a few hot laps.

The race died down again. However, the action picked up on lap 32 when Kobayashi crashed into a barrier, only to be joined by Senna seconds later.

This incident was crucial as it brought out the safety car and backed the pack together.

Under the safety car Hamilton had managed to make his way right up behind Webber in P3. There were some back markers in front of the pair and Hamilton smelled blood come the re-start (the back markers were not going to get out of the way before the race resumed).

The safety car went back into the pits at the end of lap 35. Alonso and Vettel made it away cleanly but further back at turn seven, Hamilton saw his chance!

Slowed by a lapped car Webber was out of position. Hamilton attacked and made it through but he wasn’t quite fast enough. I could sense the rage in Webber’s helmet and the Australian pushed for the next corner. The McLaren was ahead, but the Red Bull had the racing line. Hamilton turned and Webber broke hard…. It was too late, the two collided and Hamilton came out worse.

Hamilton’s race was over and his frustration was clear. Was Hamilton too aggressive? Was Webber unfair? The stewards saw it as a "racing incident," but I’ve got to say, on previous form, I would conclude that Hamilton was just a little too eager and may have thrown the long game for just a few extra points.

As we headed into the final laps the positions were as follows:

Alonso, Vettel, Webber, Button, Rosberg, Kubica, Barrichello, Sutil, Hulkenberg, Massa, Petrov, Alguersuari, Buemi, Kovalainen, Schumacher, Glock, di Grassi.

As the race came to a close, Button closed in on Webber, whilst Vettel moved ever closer to Alonso. These events added to a growing tension but the real last lap excitement came from Kubica.

After a right rear puncture the Renault driver overtook his way from P13 to P7! This kept the race well and truly alive whilst confirming Kubica’s class.

On the final lap Kovalainen added to the fun when his car caught fire, but as far as the result was concerned, the positions above changed very little.

I must admit, I am not a fan of the Singapore GP. I believe it illustrates all that is wrong with F1 as the event feels much more about affluence, and show business than racing. HOWEVER, this race was by far the best I’ve seen in its young three years. I think strong performances from Alonso, Button, Vettel, Kubica, and Webber all added to the excitement and Hamilton’s off threw the title even wider open.

We head to Japan with Red Bull expecting big things and Alonso on a roll. McLaren have a small mountain to climb, but I’m sure their class and talent will see them OK. With the title so close now every race truly is crucial. Bring on Japan!

Drivers’ Top Three:

Webber 202
Alonso 191
Hamilton 182

Constructors’ Top Three:

Red Bull 383
McLaren 359
Ferrari 316

Result

1 Fernando Alonso Ferrari

2 Sebastian Vettel RBR-Renault

3 Mark Webber RBR-Renault

4 Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes

5 Nico Rosberg Mercedes GP

6 Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth

7 Robert Kubica Renault

8 Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes

9 Nico Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth

10 Felipe Massa Ferrari

11 Vitaly Petrov Renault

12 Jaime Alguersuari STR-Ferrari

13 Michael Schumacher Mercedes GP

14 Sebastien Buemi STR-Ferrari

15 Lucas di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth

16 Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth

Ret Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth

Ret Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber-Ferrari

Ret Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes

Ret Christian Klien HRT-Cosworth

Ret Kamui Kobayashi BMW Sauber-Ferrari

Ret Bruno Senna HRT-Cosworth

Ret Jarno Trulli Lotus-Cosworth

Ret Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes